Both Scotland and Wales are planning to place an outright ban on smacking children.

But what are the rules on striking kids here in Leicester?

After an annoucement last month by Scottish politicians, today the Welsh Minister for Children, Huw Irranca-Davies has said physical punishment of children has "no place" in a "modern and progressive" society.

Wales is also planning to take away the legal defence for smacking kids, the defence of reasonable punishment, which would ban any striking of children over the border, reports Wales Online .

poll loading

Should smacking be banned in England?

0+ VOTES SO FAR

But what are the laws, here in the East Midlands?

According to charity Child law Advice, smacking is illegal here in the East Midlands, but has a legal defence of "reasonable punishment" under section 58 of the Children Act 2004.

This only applies to parents and legal guardians.

But what that is defined as is not set out in law so is a woolly area and depends on each individual case.

Factors such as the age of the child and the nature of the strike are considerations.

But it IS illegal for teachers, nursery staff, care workers to smack children. Privately-hired carers such as nannies or babysitters may smack, but only if permission has been given by the parents.